I had a feeling the Panthers would be going defense with their second round pick, but I was thinking cornerback. Instead, the Panthers draft a defensive end which is probably one of the areas least in need, until you scratch the surface. How did the guy that many labeled as the second best defensive end in the draft fall to the Panthers in round 2? Why would the Panthers select him? Well, it is fairly simple.

He thinks he's already an Aldon Smith-type player," a third scout said. "Classic con man. I don't trust this kid. He will be just a big pain in the (expletive). He's one of those 'let somebody else draft him' guys." From New Madrid, Mo. Added a fourth scout: "There's no outstanding traits about him other than he gives you some versatility in a bad (defensive-line) draft. He's a mess. Somebody's going to draft him because they need a defensive end and overdraft him."

Con man... Con man... seems like I have heard that somewhere before. Oh, that's right, Cam Newton was called a con artist before the NFL draft as well. Remind me how that turned out for the Panthers.

When it comes to such strong terminology against a player, it is obviously personal. And when scouts leave the business mindset and get personal, it is time to ignore them. Clearly Gettleman saw past the rhetoric.

But is defensive end a need for the Panthers? Obviously, David Gettleman thinks so. This pick could be the biggest indicator yet on how long term contract talks are going with Greg Hardy. If Hardy is no longer with the Panthers next season, which is looking more and more likely, Ealy could possibly step in with solid production.

In Carolina, Ealy has the best case scenario. He does not have to come in and be the number one guy. He doesn't even need to be the number two guy. He can come in and learn from one of the best defensive line coaches in the game, Eric Washington. Washington has proven he can get production out of just about any defensive marginal talent given to him. I would expect big returns from a physical talent like Kony Ealy.

A realistic projection this season for Ealy would be as a situational pass rusher and in the rotation to spell Hardy and Johnson. While I would have preferred a starter in round 2, I really cannot fault Gettleman for looking to the future here and taking not only the best player available, but also a position of need.

DE: Do not be surprised if we take a DE in the first 2 rounds. WHaaa? Johnson's deal was pretty much untouchable in 2014, but it will be a factor in 2015. Heck, he will nearly earn what they will offer Cam. Do not expect him to get it. He will take a pay cut or be cut. Hardy, on the other hand, wants everyone to forget the numbers he posted in years 1-3 and pay him on a scale that is based on 2014. While I think he gets a deal offer by the end of the season, if his productivity is not there, he will shop around. We could tag him again at a cost of about $15m, which is less than CJ would cost. Gettlemen has to realize that he has no cards to play in 2015 if we do not draft a DE. Expect it.

(Throw in the Alexander situation, and this was a no brainer-a bigger need than people realized)

In sites that rank players, I have seen him at #18, 26, 31, and 31. We got him at 60.

I found it interesting in listening to both KB and Kony's interviews that they both had a very similar line...KB said (about his blocking) that it is his job to keep the ball carrier from getting hit and he "doesn't like it when his quarterback/runningback gets hit." Kony Ealy said (about his role on the team) that when he is on the field he "doesn't want anyone to make a play on his watch." They both talked about how much they hate losing. I love that we are bringing in guys with a high level of accountability and competitiveness.

Next year, I think we keep whoever produces, with Hardy having the edge for being younger. This is a great leverage pick for the Panthers. Cam and Luke need the money that we can't afford to give to DE's, like we did with two RB's.

I like Ealy a lot in the 2nd round and am pleased to have him in our team. WITH THAT BEING SAID, we probably should've taken Morgan Moses. He was also a first round talent, and unlike Ealy, I would have been happy with us taking him in the 1st round. He fell to us in the 2nd round, and IMO his level of talent + His filling of a position of strong need = the best possible pick at 60.